Wine: Tobin James James Gang Reserve Port

Recently we went on a ski trip in Pennsylvania.  Really, the Husband did all the skiing, and it was good that he was finally skiing with people (his college friends) who were at the same level as him, versus me (very inexperienced and sloppy).

The last of his college friends are getting married this year. So it was fun to chat up with the fiance's while the guys braved the slopes. I had so much fun looking at their wedding plans, the beautiful dresses, color schemes, and menus, and simultaneously with a glass of port.

Weddings are fun and exciting and I am glad to be an attendee and get to witness the happy day of others.

I also have been reflecting on the last year. We have been in Minnesota for a year now. I never thought we would really be here. It was something we discussed at times sure, even before our wedding a couple of years ago. But I think there was a smug part of me that always thought "yeah, that will never happen. How can we leave California?"

And then one day we did.

Winters are bad. I don't think I will ever 100% like winter. Because as soon as I soften towards it, I just a s quickly go back to despising it. But here we are, in a state that has 4 beautiful seasons. And I am happier now. I miss my friends and family, but I get to see them, talk to them, facetime with them. And they can come and see us. And after a year, change is not so bad.

Wine certainly helps.

Let's talk about this Port, shall we?

2010 Vintage, and Tobin James describes it as a Portuguese style  Port. It is very smooth and not super sweet. People are turned off by super sweet Ports all the time, so this one is refreshingly not. And it has a nice raisin flavor that I love. It is easy to drink pairs amazingly well with chocolate and pretzels. Or chocolate covered pretzels. Or chocolate covered raisins. But then again port and chocolate are soul sisters, so that's no surprise, right?

Anyway. If you aren't a Port fan, this bottle of Tobin James is a good one to get you reacquainted and maybe make amends with your taste buds. After all, there is always a new "spring of hope" to look forward to.

Okay, that was a cheesy ploy at making a spring from the doom of this long winter joke. Never mind. Just drink wine until spring comes and you will be okay. Okay? Okay.

Wine: Eberle's Better Half

My Valentine's day was very nice.

After a year of complaining about our mattress, the Husband finally caved and agreed to take me mattress shopping a week ago. Our delivery of the new, miracle, super comfy Sealy Posturepedic was set for Valentines day. How Romantic! But over joyous too, you see, the Husband is a huge cuddle, which means I turn into his Human Body Pillow. We had a knock-off sleep number bed that didn't move from rental to rental to rental to our final home, very well (the foam topper ripped in two....) and eventually the dreaded "crack" was formed in our bed. This is when most nights, I, the Human Body Pillow, would unknowingly end up in "the crack" and awaken with 190 lbs of male on top of me, a stiff back, and 30 lbs of puppies blocking my roll away escape technique.

Needless to say new bed saves me from the nightmare of a stiff back.  Really, who needs flowers on Valentines day when you can finally stop dreaming of the day you can go to bed comfortably? 

End mattress rant. 

We made a simple dinner of T-bone Steaks, hassleback red potatoes, salad, and dun dun dun DUN, Eberle's Better Half wine, a yummy blend of 51% Zinfandel, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon. 

It's a nice hardy red, with a dry finish that I will attribute to the Cabernet, some berry notes that keep it juicy, and a little bit of leather. It has a beautiful dark cranberry color, and a spicey nose that resonates and balances with the taste of the wine itself.  In other words, its good wine and it's easy to share a bottle.

Eberle's Better Half. Share it with your better half. 

Wine: Tobin James Ballistic Zinfandel

Nothing gets you back in the swig of things like a good Zinfandel- one of my favorite varietals.

We waited a week or so for the wine to settle (wine that has traveled shouldn't be opened for awhile) then I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to have a glass of home, of California, and a taste of my honeymoon.

Wine, a movie, and small bowls of snacks (wheat thins, chocolate chips, and fresh and easy sea salt crackers) mixed with a bunch of cozy throws and puppy cuddles is a good night.

The Zinfandel had a strong berry nose, and was full of spice and leathery notes. It still probably should of rested more, some notes were a little too leathery. Nonetheless, the rich, warm peppery berries that characterizes a zin were there. Maybe that's just what makes this zin, "ballistic".

Wine: Derby Pinot Grigio

This wine is Ah-maz-ing. I can't remember the last time I was excited about a Pinot Gri (more of a Chardonnay kinda gal).

It's a beautiful crisp white with subtle fruit notes, most notable to me is apricot. It's not a sweet wine but on the sweeter end, definitely not dry. We paired it with a salad, linguine and salmon.

Derby 2009 Pinot Grigio is definitely a diverse crowd pleaser, a definite white table wine.

Salute!

Beer: Firestone Solace

GASP! She updates!

Blogging is hard. Especially when you work in front of a computer all day. I like to come home and zone out on pinterest or, you know, watch tv, or work out. Blogging requires you to be mentally engaged enough to be witty.

Hopefully you find me witty when I actually am trying!

It's been a long few weeks but this weekend we have friends from out of town [out of state] visiting and we are going to Paso Robles for the harvest festival weekend!

Right now I am zoning out with the help of Firestone Solace. This is my favorite beer. I am not sure why, Dos Equis is pretty good, and usually a staple in our house. I also enjoy Blue Moon or Shock Top.

I suppose it's because it's lightly sweet to me, a little wheatty, a little honey, not too bubbly, and a just... Smooth.

And it's fitting to start my weekend off with Solace because, [dun da da DUN] they are located in Paso!

And the pretty teal label helps make it eye catchy.

But really, Eureka burger introduced me to this beer, and I have enjoyed it ever since.

Cheers to the weekend, cheers to Paso, and cheers to wine and beer!

Honeymooning

We married last Saturday. Paso Robles is officially our mecha of wine. Only on your honey moon is it acceptable to be drunk at 10 am [off of Tobin James wine!]

We stayed at la Bellaserra, dined at the on site restaurant a few times and went to 6 wineries in Paso, outlet shopped in pismo, toured Hearst Castle, and sat in a giant whirl pool soaking tub for hours each night, with Lush bath bombs until we were prunes.

Last night we met back up with the inlaws to have a fine Italian dinner before their flight back east, and invited close friends over to finish the bottles they brought with them from the cottage at de Lourimier in Sonoma.

Needless to say, I was hammered. It's times like this, good food, great wine, and amazing friends that make life beautiful.

I love my new family; I love my new husband.

Life is truly one great adventure.

Pictures: Enoteca breakfast scramble: shitake mushrooms, pasted chicken and Brie

Wine glasses with the parents and friends

Half moon navy nails that did not make the wedding cut